Literary Las Vegas: Gina Pearl

Cannibalism, child abuse via sadistic and creepy clergy, infanticide, battles that continue past bloody dismemberment — if any of these images keep you up all night, you may want to avoid Gina Pearl’s eve-of-the-apocalypse thriller “The Death Artist.”

But if you’re unswayed by unapologetic graphic violence, the Las Vegas-based writer is ready to take you on an insane ride through the eyes of a trio of trained killers as they battle to escape the control of a demon.

Pearl is also the author of “Dope Sick.”

For more information on the author, visit facebook.com/ginapearlgirl.

Excerpt:

“I love fire,” Tessa says in a relaxed serene voice which only serves to further infuriate me, “There’s something so beautiful about the glare of the flames. Did you know that in most ancient cultures they would hold funeral pyres and burn their dead? Some of these cultures believed that the flames from the fire would purify their bodies and cleanse their souls preparing them for eternity. Later, these ancient funeral rites were usually reserved for warriors who died an honorable death. Death in combat, your soul burned alive with the promise of everlasting splendor in Valhalla; it’s breathtakingly beautiful. Did you know that fire is the most ancient form of magic? Did you know that if you listen closely you can hear the crackle of the flame speaking in its own secret language?”

“That’s great!” I exclaim all full of imitation enthusiasm, “Then how about asking the fire how to get out of here?”

“I could, but I won’t. I’ve been dreaming of this moment for years…”